La robotics is transforming the way we relate to the world around us and to each other. The concept of robot, although it may vary in its interpretation among scientists, is generally defined as a programmable machine capable of manipulating objects and performing tasks that were previously exclusive to humans. This definition ranges from electromechanical mechanisms physical up to virtual software systems, all designed to simulate a thinking or resolution capacity. Although, for the most part, they execute orders dictated by people. Within this vast field of robotics, social robotics and evolution of social care robots, whose main purpose is to interact with humans and assist them in a natural and intuitive way, as if they were living beings.
Principles for understanding the evolution of social robots
Obviously, the social robotics is gradually integrating into society, allowing for an increasing scale of interaction between humans and robots. But what exactly does it mean for a robot to be social? Sociability assumes that there are relationships of interaction, where an agent is considered social if it can interact and exhibit communicative behaviors. Suppose two autonomous robots coexist in the same environment, either directly or indirectly. This already generates aspects of social contact.
In this sense, the hypothesis of social intelligence postulates that in order to achieve intelligent behavior in an agent, the agent must be immersed in a physical and social environment. This agent undergoes dynamic and complex social interactions in the real world to develop intelligent behavior.
Therefore, the definition of social robots It is a delicate subject, since it requires the conjunction of various factors linked to intelligence. At the current stage of the evolution of social care robots Their communication and interaction are still dependent on the Artificial Intelligence.
In addition to being autonomous and having a nice appearance, these units must be easy for non-experts to program. They should even be tolerant of imprecise perceptions and actions and intrinsically safe. And, above all, they should be able to learn and adapt to non-predefined and dynamic environments. In short, a social robot It is defined as someone who interacts and communicates with people in a simple and pleasant way, assuming behaviors, patterns and social norms.
1940-1990, first period of the evolution of social robots inspired by nature
In its beginnings, the social robotics found inspiration in research on animal biological communities and the interactions between their individuals. The researchers' fascination with nature led them to try to artificially recreate the interactions of biological communities, thus giving rise to the social robotics in a primeval state.
Indeed, the one of William Gray Walter was one of the first notable experiments in achieving interaction of robots with the environment. In the late 1940s, Walter designed and built robotic turtles that, using headlights on the front of the shell and positive phototaxis, interacted in a social-like manner. However, they did not display explicit communication or recognize each other.
As the development of the artificial life emerged, researchers applied principles such as stigmergy to achieve collective behaviors in robots. The stigmergy involves indirect communication between individuals based on modifications in the shared environment. In 1990, Jean Louis Deneubourg, a pioneer in stigmergy experiments, created robots similar to ants, thus establishing the basis for the study of social behavior in insects using robotic models.
These principles were also applied in research on systems multi-robot o distributed robotic systemsThese involved the use of interaction mechanisms such as communication, interference and aggressive competition.
Kismet and humanoid robotics in the evolution of social care robots
Between 1990 and 2005, rapid and significant technological advances occurred in the evolution of social care robots. One of these innovations was the creation of Kismet, one of the first social androids developed in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Designed by Dr. Cynthia Breazeal, Kismet was a pioneering experiment in affective computing, endowed with the ability to recognize and simulate emotions. This android head not only had input devices that provided hearing, vision and proprioceptive skills, but also simulated emotions through facial expressions, vocalizations and movements. The interaction was intended to replicate the relationship between a caregiver and a child.
Meanwhile in Japan, the Honda company developed a series of anthropomorphic robots, from P1 to P4, culminating with the famous ASIMO. All this happened between 1996 and 2001. While the first four robots focused on humanoid robotics research, ASIMO stood out for exploring human-robot interaction, especially in the field of companion robots. ASIMO It could recognise postures and gestures, react to them, distinguish sounds and answer questions through body movements or verbal responses. These advances marked a milestone in the integration of social robotics into everyday life.
In 2006, Aldebaran (belonging to United Robotic Group) creates the robot NAO, a 53 cm tall humanoid. NAO It began to be used as an assistant in companies and health centres to welcome, inform and entertain visitors. It also became a reference in the fields of education and research.
From 2009 to the present in the evolution of social care robots
The period from 2009 to the present represents a time of significant progress in the social roboticsThe technology available in the hands of researchers has far surpassed the limitations of the first decades, providing more advanced tools to investigate and develop social robots more complex.
The representation of emotions has become a central aspect of the human-robot interaction. Studies show that robots can imitate recognizable human expressions, establishing an emotional connection with people. Experiments with robots Displaying expressions such as joy, sadness, anger, surprise and fear, they have explored how emotional interaction can improve communication and relationships between humans and robots.
In the field of care for the elderly and children, the social robotics has achieved significant achievements. From robots that help people with degenerative diseases take their medication to experiments in which social robots interact with children with autism to improve their imitation skills, the practical application of these advances is evident. A prominent example is the experiment carried out in Germany, where a social robot I guided a child with autism, correcting him until achieving satisfactory results.
Examples of evolution in social robotics
Amongst the social robots notable, highlights Pepper, developed in 2014 by SoftBank Robotics (United Robotic Group). Its ability to perceive emotions and adapt its behavior to the user's mood has made it a commercial project used in several countries to serve customers. Other robots, such as MAGIE, Mini Maggie y Robotics Lab's mBot from the Carlos III University of Madrid, have also contributed to the advancement of robot autonomy and intelligence, focusing on human-robotic interaction. They all demonstrate a solid evolution of social care robots.
In 2018, the sixth version of the NAO, with built-in CPU to improve its performance. NAO It is the robot that we use in Inrobics as part of our social robotics and AI-based rehabilitation solution.
Perspectives for projects in full development
Current advances in the social robotics have led to the creation of fully developed and technologically advanced robots. Examples of these are care robots that play a crucial role in medical settings and homes of disabled or sick people. These robots They facilitate healthcare work and speed up emergency activities. But in the near future, they could assist doctors in assessing diagnoses by providing rapid access to medical databases.
In homes for disabled people, the social robots Not only will they administer drugs and therapies as prescribed by doctors, but they also assist in daily tasks, providing valuable help. Within settings such as nursing homes and pediatric units, social robots offer companionship, entertainment and emotional support. In this way, they offer playful and conversational interactions, improving the quality of life of residents.
In terms of artificial intelligence, all future social robots will be equipped with learning capabilities to adapt to their environment and react appropriately in various situations. These capabilities will not only improve the autonomy of social robots, but will also allow their application in more specialized fields. For example, such as assisting in surgeries, where they will be able to advise and share the burden of the procedure with surgeons. Inrobics We are proud to be part of the evolution of the social care robots, thanks to the continuous improvement and development of our rehabilitation solution based on social robotics and AI, The only one certified as a medical device in EuropeThis solution is accessible for clinics, hospitals and for private therapies in the comfort of home. Request a demo!
